2008-05-07 07:05:00 -

DETROIT (AP) - Ford Motor Co. says it plans to greatly increase the use of more fuel-efficient six-speed automatic transmissions, doubling their number by the end of next year and putting them in 98 percent of its North American vehicles by 2012.
Ford said Wednesday the six-speed automatic transmissions offer 4 percent to 6 percent

better fuel economy than four- and five-speed automatics.
The Dearborn-based automaker says its 6F35 six-speed transmission will debut in the 2009-model Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner.

Ford Vice President Barb Samardzich says the new transmissions are key to Ford's planned 30-percent cut in vehicle greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
Ford says its Sterling Heights, Michigan, transmission plant will make 1.3 million 6F35 transmissions a year.